Towrope



Aug. 24 1926.

W. A. MORTON TOWROP Filed Jan. 19, 1926 a by leaving .a

Patented Aug. Z4, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM A. MORTON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORIAV.V

TOWROPE.

Application filed January 19, 1926. Serial No. 82,241.

My invention is a tow rope adapted for use in towing automobiles or thelike, being constructed of a resilient type.

An object of my invention is a tow rope formed with a resilient deviceincorporated therein to allow extension of the rope, whereby the ropemay accommodate itself to sudden jolts or the like, or sudden startingin towing an automobile.

A particular 'object of my invention is the incorporation of a resilientdevice with a rope so that the resilient connection bridges a bight orslack in the rope, the resilient device being adapted to stretch so thatthe slack may be taken up. Normal towing strain is transmitted throughthe resilient device and rope when stretched.

A specific object of my invention is the use of coil springs throughwhich a t-ow rope may be roved, there. being two springs with linksconnecting the springs, the links being adapted to bridge a slack orbight in the towrope and the ends of the springs being adapted to hookunderneath .yor through a strand of the rope and hence maintain thesprings in proper position.

ln constructing my invention l use a pair of strong helically woundsprings of ,suiit cient diameter so that a tow rope may be roved throughthe springs. The near end of the springs arel connected by links orhooked bars to transmit the strain from one spring to the other, thefree ends ofthe springs being secured to the tow rope therebight orslack between the adjacent ends of the spring; the strain of towingnormally being transmitted by the springs through the links. and therope.

My invention Ywill be more readily under stood from the followingdescription andV drawings, in which: l.

Figure l is a side elevation illustrating the use of my tow rope innormal operation with the strain of towing being transmitted by thesprings through inextensible links,

the slack or loosely.

Fig. 2 illustrates the operation under a sudden strain or in difficultpulling, in which bight of the rope hanging the springs are extended andthe strain isA transmitted mainly by the rope, the slack being taken up.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a tow ropey with my resilient attachmentconnected thereto, being shown with .a slack in the repel Fig. L is anlenlarged detail of Fig. 3, partly broken away, illustratingthe mannerVof attaching the ends of the springstithe tow rope. Y f

My invention is int-ended to be used mainly with hemp or similar type'oftow ropes, the ropes being indicated by the numeral l. A pair of springs2 formed of wire coiled helically are provided with engaging prongs 8being bent in the form of a hook 4f at oneendand having an eye formed atthe other end. These springs are of such internal diameter that the towrope may be readily roved through same.

)ne or more links 6 are secured between the eyes of adjacent springs,the illustra tion showing twolinks each connected by loops 7 or in anyother suitable manner. The prongs and hooks 3 are adapted to be twistedunderneath one or more strands 8 of therope and to be firmlysecuredthereto so that when thesprings are normally contracted as shown`in Fig. 3 and even under a towing load, there will be a slack or bight9 formed in the rope.`

As an ,additional precaution againsttearing of the rope strands orslippage of the springs, metal clamps 10 are secured on the ropes,firmly attaching the prongs and hooks to the rope. .If a metal tow ropeis used it is preferable to, have the ends of each of y.

the springs formed with tight fitting coils and with the hooks 3 fittingsnugly in 'the outside periphery of the rope, the prong l lying alongthe surfaceof the rope so that the clamps lO will securely hold the endof the spring to the rope without requiringL lifting of the strands.

After the ropes have been roved through the springs in the manner abovedescribed,

clews 11 may be secured to the end, the rope being fastened by theclamps 12, in order tol allow a simple attachment to the axles ofautomobiles or the like by means of lashing ropes.` Y y The operation ofmy tow line resilient attachment is substantially as follows:

Usuallyv the springs are Y of vsufficient strength to take up `any slackwhich readily forms by the towed vehicle running up.

on the towing machine, thereby preventing the slack from dragging behindthe axleof the towed machine or getting tangled in* f -lt isfto beunderstood that my tow444 rope may be utilized having a spring ofconsid.-n

erable strength and suticient to maintain a slack inthe rope when towingan ordinary weight vehicle on reasonably smooth roads, such slack beingtaken up by Aexcessive strains due to starting or hard pulling.Therefore in the specification and claims the mention of the slack beingin the rope during normal towing andthe rope straightened out` underexcessive strain is to cover both constructions with tlielright and theheavy Spring- 'n rising 'the term'rope I intend my inyention to covernot onlyhemp jor other types of rope but wirev rope, belts, straps or` asuitable type oi' chain which may pass through the coils of the springs.

Although'iny invention is of ay simple charaeter,7 nevertheless, it willbe apparent that the general construction and specific details may hechanged to suit diierent towing arrangements. For instance, the springsand links may be adapted to towing'ohains as well as ropes and insteadof using long` links (i as indicated ordinary size chain'linlrs, wirecable,` or h'eavfyhemp` rope could he utilized. Such *various changeswould be withinthe spirit or" my invention as set orth in thedescription, drawings and claims.

' Having describedfmy invention, Awhat I claim l. n tow rope comprisingincombination f a flexible rope, a plurality otsprings, the rope heiligioved throughjthe springs, lneanjs to attach-,the springs to the rope,inenten# sible means connecting the adjacent ends 'ot the sprngs, thesprings being positionedon the rope to normally form a slack therein innormal Atowing operations and in abnormal conditions to stretch,allowing the towing strainV to be transmitted partij,T by the rope andpartlyby the springs and inextensible connection. f

'2, A tow rope comprising yin'combination a plurality of helicallycoiled springs, fieX- ihle rope roved through said springs, meanstoattach the? springs to rthe rope, an inex- 3, "A tow rope comprisingin combination aA pair of helically coiled springs, a riexible roperoved through vsaid springs, thel outer ends of the springs lhaving endscaught through strands of the rope, an inextensible connection betweenthe adjacent ends ofthe springs, the springs being mounted on they ropeto normally form a slack, the slack be'- ing taken yup by the `extensionof the springs thereby transmitting abnormal stresses directly throughthev ropeV and 'through the soifings and the connection between saidsprings. f la A tow rope comprising in combination a pairofhelic'ally'coiled springs, alexible rope roved therethrough,clampssecuring the opposite ends` of the pair oi' springs to therop'e,linlrs connecting the adjacent ends or' the springs, the Springs beingmounted on the rope to normally form a slack between the springs. Y l

,5,111 tow rope,van extensible attach# nient comprising a pair ofhelically coiled springs, said springsl being of such internal diameterto allow roving of .a tow rope therethrough', inextensible links'connecting the adjacent ends of the springs, the opposite ends of thepair oi springs being con structed and adapted to allow securing to atow rope.` Y f 1n testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification.

VILLAM' A. `MORTON-

